Case Study

Case Study 3: Cate

Cate, a 13-year-old school squash player, trains 4 times a week. Her normal food  intake maintains her weight at 41kg. Recently, a McDonald’s fast food restaurant  opens near her home. After her squash training, Cate now has a daily routine in  which she will consume an upsize (bigger portion) meal for lunch, consisting of a  main course, fries, and a drink. She chooses not to have the same main course  within the same week. The rest of her diet remains unchanged. 1.  What is the effect of this diet on Cate’s weight after two months? Will this effect carry on and on? Explain. 2.  Companies sometimes tempt the consumers by offering a bigger portion  meal at a very low price. However the consumer might not necessarily need  the bigger portion meal but will still end up buying it as it is more value for  money. Explore the difference in the effect on Cate’s diet between a  standard and an upsize meal over the same duration as in Q1. 3.  Subway has been touted as a “healthier” choice, as compared to  McDonalds’, for those who are more health conscious. Suppose Cate is now  having Subway for lunch after her squash training instead of McDonalds’,  establish if this diet is indeed “healthier”.  Her Subway meal should consist  of a 6-inch sandwich, a cookie, and a drink. She chooses not to have the  same sandwich within the same week. Questions to consider: What does it mean by "healthy" food? What causes weight gain? What is the relationship between calories intake and weight gain? What is "activity factor"? How does "activity factor" affect the amount of calories required by a person? What necessary assumptions do you have to make? What are the relevant variables? This are our Maths Modeling Qn:)